After I sold the B40 to buy the catamaran and finally get to the islands, the body started to go thru some changes. I was never sure if age were the single factor, or it was a combo of side effects from the chemo/radiation and age. At some point I realized that it really didnt matter what the cause was, it was the effect. After 2 seasons on the island circuit, we collectively agreed to stop and sell. We had been there, and we had done that. I wasnt enjoying sailing the way i used to. My balance is off. My step is off. I'm not clearing the 'high hurdles' like stepping out of the cockpit, or getting on the cabin roof to get to the mast. What once was a glide is replaced by a stumble.

A year ago, I pulled the trigger on my version of downsized sailboat. She is a sweet 23' sailor, lower profile, easing the missed steps/stumbles. Before launching, I'm giving a bunch of thought to selling her. I'm still thinking that way, just not as much.

Yesterday, I helped my oldest sailing bud set his 34' up for the season. He's 76 or 77 and i'm 10 years less (67). We went for a quick sail after the setup and it was exhausting. His boat is 10' larger than mine, so the 'step' stuff was higher, harder and more stumbles. After 2 runs on the water, he knew i was done, and headed home.

This winter was the longest and hardest on my brain/body. I was not able to travel to the islands due to medical stuff. I barely made it to Annapy for the boat show. I'd called Herb and had to back out of a prior engagement with Cruising World due to health stuff. Responding to Herbs reaction, I thought, I have to do this, and made the 3.5 hour drive down, stopping 3x to rest while enroute.
It was a worthwhile journey. After doing the CW gig, I met up with Jon, Kate and Chuck and a few others that I cant remember (nothing new). It felt like CWBB days all over again. A nice feel to that.

As our typical non spring passes from 3 nice days since january, into summer, the body aches will be helped by the warmth of the sun, which in turn, will clear winters cobwebs from the brain.

So, i'm looking for an exit strategy. Leaving this climate for warmth in the winter, and possibly returning for summer. The flight of the snow birds. Islands are out as there arent any medical facilities that i'd be comfortable with to deal with my 'stuff'. Probably a return to florida, where my sailing stuff started in 1970. What goes around....
Still processing that part. Stand by.

I want to add how lucky i've been to be able to live, work and play at sea. The best part, the peeps.

Sail on.
joe o sea/seaojoe